Novel experiences, like navigating the COVID pandemic, create opportunities to illuminate the creativity and flexibility of individuals and communities in surprising ways. Concepts once imagined as impossible become achievable and people prove themselves resilient and persistent. A willingness to consider strategies in a new light creates a new normal and life continues to happen. From animal scavenger hunts in residential neighborhoods for the purpose of entertaining children to drive-by celebrations, communities find alternative ways to achieve age-old activities. Transitioning to online learning and church gatherings to contactless delivery of services, adaptations are established to allow a world to move forward, if not to flourish.

When we experience moments outside the usual and routine, even for a healthcare crisis of this magnitude, it allows us to tinker with our approaches to life, work, and leisure. My dear friend, Christie, shared that in many ways she is grateful for the perspective that this pandemic has given her, as she sees this opportunity without sports and other commitments as a gift from God. Not only have there been irreplaceable moments with her children, but a trip to the beach with friends would never have occurred amongst sport and camp schedules. What altered perspective do you now have as a result of a Life Interrupted?

One of the dominant lessons for me, aside from considering What is Truly Essential, has been the revelation that I am a Circle Not a Square! Now, bear with me as I attempt to articulate this random statement. Other than occasionally missing human contact, I will treasure this season of social isolation as it has been an education in understanding myself from a variety of perspectives-spiritually, personally, and professionally. Coming to the imagery of being a Circle Not a Square is the best descriptor I have for attempting to flourish in higher education where sometimes it can seem as if I am a circle (an Unfinished Misfit) attempting to fit in with a bunch of squares. (Insert numerous jokes about us nerds in higher education here)!

Days working from home is nourishing the Habit of Deep Work where time is invested intensely into creative lesson planning, innovative course design, and superb recommendation letters for students. After a few hours of deep work, the opportunity exists to go for a walk, water flowers, or even wash a load or two of laundry. The flexibility of the hours of the day, the ability to see birds in the trees outside a window, or the touch of the breeze on my cheek as I work from the back porch, are all a circle. A 10×12 windowless office with recycled air, which means a daily headache, is a square. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ignorant to the fact that I cannot perform my job in isolation or solely from the back porch, but the freedom experienced during this time frame, has literally been a breath of fresh air (along with some perfect temperatures and weather).

I could offer many observations of how this corona season has shown me the significance of being a Circle Not a Square; however, the greater lessons have been about faithfulness over fear, strengths over weaknesses, flourishing over floundering, and essentials over comforts. It’s been about taking a break from the news, social media, church responsibilities, and other activities and to think outside-the-box about what things are allowed back into the schedule and what remains gone forever. It’s about a last-minute girls’ trip to the beach, it’s about learning who God is and who He created me to be, even if that is a Circle Not a Square. It’s about embracing being an introverted, 5w6, never-married Christian woman, and through the challenges these traits bestow, to following the path God has just for me. It’s being determined to a discover how best to be a circle in the square world of higher education so that becoming an Educator Who Flourishes is attainable, and my students and colleagues will ultimately flourish too!

Have you ever undergone the experience of being a Circle Not a Square? To knowing who you are deep inside the environment necessary to nourish your flourishing? What steps did you take that freed you to engage at an optimal level? Please feel free to share in the comments below.